Back in the day, a platform design might last a half dozen years or longer in an effort to appease corporate accountants by spreading costly redesigns over many, many years (see Chevrolet’s Cavalier). Not in today’s intense environment. With technological advances and growing competition, the pressure to stay up-to-date and keep fresh takes precedence.
To this point, Mazda releases a next-generation makeover of its compact, front-wheel-drive Mazda3. It’s the vehicle’s third-generation effort in a relatively short 10 year span.
Additionally, the 2014 Mazda3 was one of three finalists in the closely watched ‘North American Car of the Year’ competition this past January at Detroit’s North American International Auto Show. This annual award, judged by 50 independent auto media writers throughout the continent, is widely coveted in an industry otherwise overrun with self-congratulating awards. While edged out by the eventual winner, the muscular Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, reaching the finals as a compact, value-priced offering is an achievement in and of itself. Cadillac’s CTS was the remaining runner up.
Why such lofty and esteemed recognition? Mazda3 reaches 40 miles per gallon highway utilizing a highly tuned, naturally aspirated gas engine fueled by regular, 87-octane fuel. Most rivals surpassing 40 mpg utilize pricier gas-electric hybrid or diesel-powered technologies.
Mazda packages this fuel-sipping technology around a sporty-like driving experience. A lighter weight chassis shaves overall weight by some 67 pounds from the previous generation, adding to its spunk. Wheelbase (distance between front and rear axle) increases by 2.4 inches while overall length gets tucked in a tad for both body styles.
While small in stature, Mazda3 lives large as Mazda’s best-selling vehicle in the North American Market. In 2013, 104,713 units were bought, the only Mazda vehicle reaching six figure sales numbers. Worldwide, total sales since 2003 surpassed the four-million total sales earlier this year, accounting for an impressive 30 percent of the company’s annual sales volume.
Lots of mix and match opportunities abound, including two body styles, two engine selections and four trim levels ( SV, Sport, Touring, Grand Touring). Option packages are minimal with each trim level upping standard equipment. Blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic alert come standard in Touring and Grand Touring trims.
Both the four-door sedan and five-door hatchback are available with a 2.0-liter, inline four cylinder cranking out 155 horsepower or a more potent 2.5-liter inline bumping power up to 184 horses. Only the 2.0 version is available with a six-speed manual gear box. A six-speed automatic is optional with the 2.0-liter and standard with the 2.5.
The 2.0-liter four coupled with a six-speed manual transmission in our five-door hatchback tester generated estimates of 29 mpg city and 40 highway. Even when opting for the automatic transmission highway mileage estimates reach an impressive 40 mpg. With the sedan body style, 41 mpg highway is attained with either transmission. The larger 2.5-liter, while not reaching the 40 mpg mark, delivers 28/39 mpg in sedans and 27/37 mpg hatchback with the standard automatic transmission.
The entry SV trim with 2.0-liter engine is available only in sedan body styles. The larger 2.5-liter engine is available solely in Touring and Grand Touring trims.
Two all-new, up-level fuel-extending options become available in the up-level Grand Touring. Active grille shutters mounted in front of the radiator automatically open and shut to maximize aerodynamics. Intelligent Energy Loop, or i-ELOOP, is a regenerative braking system recapturing kinetic energy into electricity for later use in audio and climate control systems.
Still waiting word concerning the next-generation effort of the performance-oriented MazdaSpeed3, a turbo-charged 2.3-liter funster battling the likes of Ford’s upped horsepower Focus ST. Introduced in 2007, the five-door exclusive MazdaSpeed3 continued until 2013.
Both naturally aspirated gas engines for 2014 embrace Mazda’s “Skyactiv” techno branding introduced in 2012. Skyactiv includes higher compression engineering helping achieve top-tier fuel results. Prior to its arrival, Mazda four-cylinders generated middle-of-the-road fuel economy results.
Our 2014 well-equipped five-door Grand Touring tester hatch back arrived with a $23,245 starting price. With a $300 upcharge for bright red metallic paint and dealer extras including $70 cargo mats, $100 bumper guards and $125 scuff plates, the bottom line ended at $24,635 including $795 destination charge. Pricing starts at $16,945 for a SV sedan with manual transmission. The lowest-priced hatchback (Sport with manual transmission) checks in $2,000 higher at $18,945.
An apparent plus when entering this compact-sized offering is the comparatively high front bucket seat positioning, helping ease ingress and egress while providing drivers with extra comfort and good sight lines.
The unique, deep-set instrument panel includes a center, circular speedometer flanked on each side by two, thick wing-like extensions housing fuel gauge and other data. Wisely, the steering column manually tilts and telescopes; even some mid-size rivals are sans the telescoping maneuver.
Our tester included the optional in-vehicle navigation/backup camera feed with large seven-inch screen not built-in directly to the center dash, but more of a flat-screen design rising up from the middle center.
Other functions may also be summoned through this multi-purpose, center touch screen. Two rotating knobs between front bucket seats monitor sound-system, navigation and plug-in portable electronic functions. The larger of the two knobs included a push-down feature acting as the ‘select’ function to the tutorial options. Secondary volume/station pre-set controls are also located on the three-spoke steering wheels left side, opposite right-side cruise control options. Red stitching (matching the ‘Soul Red Metallic’ exterior paint) adorned our seats, steering wheel, center storage bin and doors contrasting nicely with black seating and dashboard hues. Inline beverage holders reside in front of the storage bin with auxiliary and iPod plugs.
Push button start comes standard. Temperature controls below two horizontal vents consist of end twist dials for left and right zones flanking a row of push buttons controlling fan speed and direction. The driver’s door includes power window, side-view mirror and door lock/unlock controls set at a 45-degree angle.
A pleasant bonus found in this Gen 3, rear seat headroom is more than generous with more than sufficient leg room for two adults; three if the sojourn remains limited. Second-row seatbacks fold flat atop seats, opening up goodly cargo space. A temporary spare situates under the flat cargo floor.
Mazda3’s front includes a long, ‘U’ shaped grille with winged ‘M’ logo atop flanked by narrow headlight housing. A long nose creates a sleek, aerodynamic visual flow. Sculpted sheet metal has the Mazda3 sharing visual cues with its larger mid-size sibling, the Mazda6. Tail light housing shares the same band-like design. The hatch, with standard rear wiper, opens with enough head clearance for those six-feet or shorter, a nice touch in a compact-sized offering. Dual exhaust comes standard in all hatchback trims. Eight exterior colors are available.
Braking remains predictable yet sure with pleasantly sharp steering characteristics. Coupled with the smooth-sifting, non-notchy manual transmission, Mazda 3 rates high in the fun column among economically priced entry-level sedans and hatch backs. Cabin room remains slightly narrower than the Hyundai Elantra ($18,010 starting price for a sedan body style), a competent, compact vehicle winning top honors as ‘North American Car of the Year’ in 2012.
At A Glance
2014 Mazda3
Price as Tested: $24,635
Engine: 2.0-liter, four cylinder
Horsepower: 155
Length: 175.6 inches
Wheelbase: 106.3 inches
Fuel Economy City/Highway: 29 mpg/40 mpg
Curb Weight: 2,855 pounds
Powertrain warranty: Five year/60,000 miles
Built: Japan, Mexico
|